Starting out with Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMh) batteries
This article will help you get the most from a new set of NiMh batteries for your camera or portable electronic device
So, you just purchased a set of AA NiMh (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries and you are anxious to try them out. Wait! Before you can use them, you need to change them first. Your first assumption would be that you charge them for a few hours and they’re good to go. Wrong!
The first time you charge your new NiMh batteries you should let them charge all night. The general rule of thumb is that you should charge the batteries 3 (three) times longer than the rating of the charger. If you have a 15 minute charger, charge them at least an hour. If you have a two hour charger, charge for at least 6 hours. If you have a overnight charger, let them charge for at least 24 hours.
Why does it take so long the first time? The batteries you received have probably never been charged. They are completely dead, or very close to it. When a charger says that it charges batteries in 15 minutes or 2 hours, it really means that it “Recharges” the batteries in that time. The only exception to this rule is the Hybrid NiMh batteries which come pre-charged.
Now for a couple of dirty little secrets about NiMh batteries.
So, you just purchased a set of AA NiMh (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries and you are anxious to try them out. Wait! Before you can use them, you need to change them first. Your first assumption would be that you charge them for a few hours and they’re good to go. Wrong!
The first time you charge your new NiMh batteries you should let them charge all night. The general rule of thumb is that you should charge the batteries 3 (three) times longer than the rating of the charger. If you have a 15 minute charger, charge them at least an hour. If you have a two hour charger, charge for at least 6 hours. If you have a overnight charger, let them charge for at least 24 hours.
Why does it take so long the first time? The batteries you received have probably never been charged. They are completely dead, or very close to it. When a charger says that it charges batteries in 15 minutes or 2 hours, it really means that it “Recharges” the batteries in that time. The only exception to this rule is the Hybrid NiMh batteries which come pre-charged.
Now for a couple of dirty little secrets about NiMh batteries.
- They don’t hold a charge for long periods of time (except for the Hybrid NiMh). You should never count on a NiMh battery holding its charge for more than a month. So, use these batteries for something that you constantly use, not something you stick in a drawer for a rainy day.
- The first couple of times you use them, they may not last very long. I don’t know why this happens, but sometimes a new set of batteries will apparently charge up properly, and then seem to die after about 10 minutes of use. Don’t Panic! This only happens about 20% of the time to a new set of batteries. If you recharge them again, they’ll last two or three times longer than the first time. After the third recharge, they’ll last much longer than your old Alkaline batteries.
Now for the Good News! NiMh batteries can be recharged up to 1000 (one thousand) times. So, you can charge them once a month and they’ll still out live you!
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